If you do one thing this month - love a tree

This beech tree was first coppiced nearly a thousand years ago. Its sticks were cut every few years to provide material for furniture or charcoal for the people who lived in or around Epping Forest. Its base grew wide over the years, forming a vast ‘stool’. At some point, probably centuries later, the demand for wood changed. Large timbers were more sought after for the construction of wood frame buildings and ships to pursue England’s colonial ambition. This beech and others nearby were pollarded instead. The stems were cut higher up, above head height instead of at the ground. This enabled them to grow slower and bigger, out of the reach of grazing animals.  In 1878, The Epping Forest Act prohibited pollarding and the branches of this tree grew into the massive limbs visible today. As this tree has been both coppiced and pollarded it is known as a ‘coppard’. These beech coppards can be found in various places in Epping Forest but are uncommon in other parts of the country. Th giant branches of these trees have become heavy over the last century and a half, and are now shearing at the joint point, bringing tonnes of timber crashing through the canopy to feed the beetles and fungi of the forest floor. This particular tree is much loved and has acquired a name of its own The Giant Coppard. You can find it near the bank of Baldwin’s Pond if you walk into the Forest from Loughton.

When you find a tree to love, it does not have to be ancient or well-known: it might be insignificant to others. It might call to you because of the feel of its bark, the sweet smell of its flowers or the whistle of the wind through its leaves. When you find it, sit with it and speak to it, listen carefully to what messages it gives to you. If you take an offering to the tree, make it biodegradable. Most of all, tell the tree you’ll return soon.

If you’re interested in ancient woodland, this is a good place to search: